2010 VHSL CHEER RULES CLINIC

1. 2010 VHSL CHEER RULES CLINIC Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

2. Purpose • Explain new NFHS rule changes and review important safety information • Review important VHSL policies and information Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

3. Clinic Attendance • If your school has cheerleaders, a coach must attend the annual cheer rules clinic. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

4. Clinic Attendance • Competition judges must attend each year to be eligible for varsity and post-season consideration Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

5. CLINIC MAKE-UP Officials who are unable, due to extreme or unusual circumstances, to attend one of the VHSL Rules Clinics, MAY be given an opportunity to meet the clinic requirement by viewing the PowerPoint presentation online. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

6. CLINIC MAKE-UP The request must come from the association commissioner or assignor. Past clinic attendance and present circumstances along with any additional pertinent information will be considered in the decision to grant or deny the request. If the request is granted The official must pay a $25 administrative fee to VHSL in order to receive credit for attendance The association commissioner/assignor must verify that the official did in fact view the presentation Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

7. CLINIC MAKE-UP Ditto for coaches The request must come from Athletic Director or Principal. Past clinic attendance and present circumstances along with any additional pertinent information will be considered in the decision to grant or deny the request. $25 fee must be paid to VHSL. Coach must take online rules exam. Coaches or officials who falsify information will be subject to disciplinary action. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

8. Aug. 2* Aug. 27* Graduation Date* First Practice First Performance “Season” ends Important DatesSideline Cheerleading * Local restrictions may apply * 20 daily practices required for each individual prior to first competition or first performance involving stunting Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

9. First Practice First Performance District Deadline Regional Deadline Aug. 2* Aug. 27* Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Important DatesCompetition Cheerleading * Local restrictions may apply * 20 daily practices required for each individual prior to first competition or first performance involving stunting Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

10. Competition cheer squad may NOT be selected prior to August 2 If your school participates in both sideline and competition cheer, and you selected sideline cheerleaders prior to the end of the 2009-10 school year, you MUST hold a tryout for competition cheer on or after August 2. Important DatesCompetition Cheerleading Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

11. VHSL State CompetitionNovember 13, 2010Stuart C. Siegel Center (VCU) Important Dates Competition Cheerleading Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

12. No school may permit its cheerleaders to participate in a competition after the date of the VHSL State Competition. Important DatesCompetition Cheerleading Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

13. Rules Exam Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

14. EXAM REQUIREMENT • All cheer judges must take and pass the exam to be eligible to work VHSL competitions. • Minimum score of 70 for regular season eligibility • Minimum score of 80 for post season eligibility • Cheer coaches who miss the rules clinic must take the exam Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

15. ONLINE EXAM • Exam will be taken online -- exams.nfhs.org • VHSL will provide a link to the NFHS site from the Cheer landing page of the VHSL web site. • NO PAPER COPIES OF THE EXAM WILL BE ISSUED. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

16. TESTING DATES • Exam opened on July 25, 2010 • Exams completed by Aug. 22, 2010 – no fee • Officials have 4 weeks to complete the exam requirement • This provides our staff with time to process results from the NFHS and send information to commissioners in time to make any necessary adjustments to assignments Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

17. LATE FEES • Officials who do not complete the exam during the first four weeks must pay late fees, as follows • Aug. 23-29 - $50.00 late fee • Aug. 30 – Sept. 5, $75.00 late fee • After Sept. 5 - $100.00 late fee Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

18. EXAM CLOSES • Exam will close on Thursday, September 30, 2010 • All applicable fees must be paid before credit will be given. • Officials who have not completed the exam requirement may NOT be assigned to VHSL contests. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

19. VHSL ID REQUIRED • Officials must have a VHSL ID to take the exam • Officials should have only ONE VHSL ID, regardless of the number of sports you officiate. • If you do not have a VHSL ID, contact your association commissioner. • Registration fees must be paid prior to receiving a VHSL ID. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

20. EXAM LAYOUT • 100 True/False questions • Order of the questions is random • No two tests will be alike • If you need to re-take the exam (because you failed on your first attempt), the questions will appear in a different order. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

21. RE-TESTING • Officials who score less than 80 may take the exam a second time • No additional attempts will be permitted • Do NOT attempt the exam until you are prepared to take it. • Officials who score 80 or higher on their first attempt are not permitted a second try. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

22. SPORTSMANSHIP Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

23. The sole purpose of VHSL and other “education-based” athletics and activities programs is to provide students with opportunities to learn skills that will make them better people. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

24. Your role as a coach is to facilitate this process. Understand that YOU are a role model. Your leadership, poise, timeliness, character, honesty, integrity, the way you treat people – these are just some of the ways your students will learn. Make sure you are “teaching” the right things! Coaches Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

25. Judges must remember that they are ALWAYS judges, whether you are at a competition, or at the grocery store. Always be professional. One judge represents all judges. A judge’s integrity must be above question. If one judge cheats, all judges are cheaters (in the eyes of coaches/fans) Judges Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

26. Do not discuss other competitions, other judges, or other teams. It’s not professional, and you never know who’s listening! Judges Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

27. Sideline cheerleaders Are a support group Lead or direct cheering of student and adult fans Aid school and game officials in the promotion of good sportsmanship “Performing” is secondary Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

28. Effective cheerleading squads enhance the atmosphere in which a game is played. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

29. Examples of poor sportsmanship include: Directing cheers at the opposing student body “In-your-face” or “one-upmanship” tumbling – tumbling intended to “challenge” the other squad to do the same. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

30. Yelling at or otherwise attempting to distract opposing players at any time Using megaphones as noisemakers (other than for amplifying one’s voice) Taunting anyone Booing anyone Interfering in any way with game officials, including not getting out of the way when asked to do so Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

31. Leading or participating in actions or cheers that are clearly negative and/or show disrespect for participants Example: “M-i-s-s-i-t, Miss it, Miss it” (when an opponent is attempting a free throw) Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

32. Cheerleaders have a responsibility to Treat opposing cheerleaders and players as they would want to be treated – as a guest or acquaintance Select positive cheers which praise your team without antagonizing or belittling the other team. Begin popular, positive cheers when booing or inappropriate chants begin Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. Provide positive support for your team and lead others in doing the same. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

33. Cheerleaders do NOT need to Be on the field or court at the conclusion of a game Participate in post-game handshakes with opposing players Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

34. It is critical that cheerleaders represent their schools and communities in a positive manner and that they encourage, through their actions and leadership, others to do the same. This is your sole mission! It is why you are at the game. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

35. VHSL has established clear guidelines for players, coaches, cheerleaders and other support groups, and fans. Districts and Regions have been encouraged to adopt these guidelines for regular season play Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

36. Cheer coaches and sponsors are responsible for knowing the guidelines and requiring that your squad follow them. Failure of a cheerleading squad to follow the adopted guidelines at a VHSL State Tournament will result in their removal from the contest. Repetitive failure to comply with the guidelines could result in the suspension of all cheerleading activities. Sportsmanship Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

37. Courtesy and respect are the keys to good sportsmanship and professional behavior! If your words or actions are not respectful of those they are intended for, then don’t say it, and don’t do it. The Keys Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

38. NFHS Spirit Rules • The Virginia High School League (VHSL) is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). • VHSL member schools must follow NFHS rules. • These rules apply to ALL cheerleading programs, sideline and competition. Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

39. Failure to abide by NFHS Spirit Rules is a violation of VHSL rules. Penalties could involve Monetary fines Putting your program on probation Putting your school on probation Most importantly, failure to abide by NFHS Spirit Rules could result in serious injuries to your cheerleaders. NFHS Spirit Rules Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

40. Some of the more common violations are as follows: Performing stunts during a basketball or volleyball game when the ball is in play, including free throws in basketball; and just prior to the serve in volleyball Standing behind the free throw line extended during a basketball game Wearing jewelry of any kind NFHS Spirit Rules Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

41. Chewing gum or eating candy while cheering Twisting dismount to a cradle involving more than one rotation when not on an appropriate surface Performing stunts or pyramids that are more than 2 levels high Not using the required number of spotters or bracers NFHS Spirit Rules Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

42. The definition of an “appropriate surface” is dependent on the type of skill being performed. When performing any kind of tumbling, individual or partner stunt, the surface MUST be dry. Cheerleader safety is paramount! Appropriate Surfaces Virginia High School League Building Better Citizens

43. 2010-11 NFHSSpirit Rule Changes

44. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • Any athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the contest and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional.

45. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • Mandated by NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. • State associations may choose to define a physician in accordance with their state statutes.

46. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • Signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion include (but are not limited to): • Loss of consciousness • Headache • Dizziness • Confusion • Balance problems

47. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion (in the Rule Book, Appendix B, page 87) • Must know state association requirements for returning the athlete to participation. • Concussions are very serious injuries.

48. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • The coach has 100% of the responsibility during sideline activities. • It is imperative that coaches are informed and able to recognize signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with concussions. • When in doubt – sit them out!

49. Risk Management(2-1-15, Concussions) • In competitions, the responsibility for cheerleader safety is shared by coaches and judges. • Coaches and judges must be able to recognize signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with concussions. • When in doubt – sit them out!

50. Risk Management(2-2-8, Protective Equipment) • Added a requirement that supports, braces, etc., which are hard and unyielding or have rough edges or surfaces must be padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick. • Knee and ankle braces which are unaltered do not require any additional padding.